Penn College Graphic Design

Production & Image Prep

Production & Image prep

STYLE GUIDE HOME . TYPE CLASSIFICATION . TYPESETTING . PRODUCTION & IMAGE PREP

Correct file preparation and outputting is essential for ensuring that your design is produced appropriately for production and distribution. The information below is intended to help students correctly build new documents, troubleshoot issues with existing documents, and better understand commercial applications and options with regard to professional graphic design.

PRINT PRODUCTION

 

InDesign Files

When sending files from Adobe InDesign to print make sure to adhere to the following:

  • Images (all information can be checked on the links panel):

    • 300 dpi/ppi

    • CMYK

    • Raster: TIFF/TIF | Vector: PDF/AI/EPS

  • Bleeds:

    • In documents where images, graphics, and/or ink runs off the edge(s) of the page you must use bleeds in your file.

    • Bleeds must extend at least .125” from the edge of the page on all sides.

    • Adding bleeds to an Existing InDesign Document:

      • Go to the File dropdown menu and select Document Setup.

      • Select Bleed and Slug.

      • Enter .125” for top, bottom, left, and right values.

      • Check the Preview box in the dialogue box to see what the bleed area will look like on your document (it will be represented by a red guide). Any elements that bleed must extend to the red box.

      • When exporting your document as a PDF use the Highest Quality Print setting. Under the Marks and Bleed tab, check the Use Document Bleed Settings box and verify that .125” is entered for top, bottom, left, and right values.

    • Adding bleeds to a New InDesign Document:

      • Open a new document. Select Bleed and Slug and enter .125” for top, bottom, left, and right values.

      • Check the Preview box in the dialogue box to see what the bleed area will look like on your document (it will be represented by a red guide). Any elements that bleed must extend to the red box.

      • Use the bleed guides while positioning your artwork or design to ensure that your design fits within the lines.

    • When exporting your document as a PDF use the Highest Quality Print setting. Under the Marks and Bleed tab, check the Use Document Bleed Settings box and verify that .125” is entered for top, bottom, left, and right values.

  • Fonts:

    • Make sure to correct all font errors including:

      • Missing Fonts: Lists fonts that are used in the document but are not installed on the current computer or available as document installed fonts.

      • Incomplete Fonts: Lists fonts that have a screen font on the current computer but not a corresponding printer font.

      • Protected Fonts: Lists fonts that cannot be embedded in PDF or EPS files or used as document installed fonts due to license restrictions.

    • Most font issues can be resolved by installing the missing font onto your machine or going to the Type dropdown menu and selecting Find/Replace Font…

Paper

Paper selection is an important component of most professional print design projects.

Weight: Determined by the weight of 500 sheets of uncut paper, which is measured in either Grams per Square Meter (GSM) or pounds (lbs).

  • Text weight paper refers to paper that is thin, flexible, and lightweight. Examples include standard office printer paper or a book or magazine’s interior pages. Sometimes called book, bond, writing, ledger, or offset paper, text weight paper can be coated or uncoated. For professional jobs, text weight typically ranges from 70# to 100#.

  • Cover weight paper refers to paper that’s thicker and sturdier than text weight paper. At its heaviest, cover stock weight can be similar to chipboard. Sometimes referred to as cardstock, bristol, index, or tag paper, cover stock paper weights can be both coated or uncoated.

Finishes: The finish of the paper has to do with the surface texture and can impact how ink sits and/or is absorbed into the substrate.

  • Coated paper has a glossy texture and look. Because the coating is applied prior to printing it reduces ink spread by stopping the paper from soaking up ink. Coated paper is available in gloss, matte, dull, and satin.

  • Uncoated paper, when compared to coated stocks, are generally more porous and tactile. Since they don’t have a coating to seal the spaces between the paper’s fibers, they absorb more ink than coated stocks, resulting in softer, less defined imagery. Coated paper is easy to write on with pens, pencils and markers.

Note, paper can also have various coatings applied as a part of the print run after the ink is printed on the paper. These coatings are used to enhance the visual appeal of printed graphics and/or to add durability and protection to the printing. Typical coatings include UV coatings, aqueous coating, and spot UV coatings.

Commercial Printing

Offset Printing: Offset lithography works is by using printing plates. Once a plate has been inked, it is offset (or transferred) onto a rubber blanket before finally being moved onto the printing surface. There is a cost for the initial setup, but the price per print quickly decreases as the quantity increases. That makes lithographic printing ideal for high-volume, high-speed, high-quality printing production.

The one caveat is there shouldn’t be any variation between prints, or you’ll end up paying too much for setup with each variation.